Sidewalk Maintenance Policy

By ordinance, Minneapolis requires that property owners build and maintain the public sidewalks along city streets (City Charter, Chapter 8, sections 12 and 13).

Public sidewalks are necessary in order to provide safe passage for pedestrians, including wheel-chair and other disabled users. Sidewalks also help maintain strong neighborhoods and prevent degradation of green space.

Sidewalk inspection occurs in a cycle of about once every 10 years and many addresses do not require repairs even that frequently. Due to the infrequency, many property owners are not aware of their responsibility for the cost of public sidewalk repair.

Property owners are obligated to maintain the public sidewalks in a safe, usable condition. If sidewalks are damaged as the result of private property construction or maintenance, property owners are required to restore them to full working order. See Sidewalk Repair Options.

If sidewalks are damaged through natural wear and tear, or tree roots, property owners have two options:

The City will provide a temporary, asphalt patch free of charge until the sidewalks are ordered to be replaced, or

The owner may replace the sidewalks by hiring bonded sidewalk contractors at his/her expense at any time. Please contact the Sidewalk inspections office at (612) 673-2420 for a list of contractors.